“That, perhaps,” the Prince replied, “would
seem the hardest part of all. You would be required
to start tomorrow afternoon from Southampton at four
o’clock.”

The Inspector started. Then a new light dawned
suddenly in his face.

“Tomorrow afternoon,” he murmured.

The Prince assented.

“So far as regards your position at Scotland
Yard,” he said, “I have influential friends
in your Government who will put that right for you.
You need not be afraid of any unpleasantness in that
direction. Remember, Mr. Inspector, thirty thousand
pounds, and a free hand while you are in my country.
You are a man, I should judge, of fifty-two or fifty-three
years of age. You can spend your fifty-sixth
birthday in England, then, and be a man of means for
the remainder of your days.”

“And this sum of money,” the detective
said, “is for my services in building up the
police force of Tokio?”

“Broadly speaking, yes!” the Prince answered.

“And incidentally,” the detective continued,
glancing cautiously at his companion, “it is
the price of my leaving unsuspected the murderer of
two innocent men!”

The Prince walked on in silence. Every line in
his face seemed slowly to have hardened. His
brows had contracted. He was looking steadfastly
forward at the great front of Buckingham Palace.

“I am disappointed in you, Mr. Jacks,”
he said a little stiffly. “I do not understand
your allusion. The money I have mentioned is
to be paid to you for certain well-defined services.
The other matter you speak of does not interest me.
It is no concern of mine whether this man of whom
you are in search is brought to justice or not.
All that I wish to hear from you is whether or not
you accept my offer.”

The Inspector shook his head.

“Prince,” he said, “there can be
no question about that. I thank you very much
for it, but I must decline.”

“Your mind is quite made up?” the Prince
asked regretfully.

“Quite,” the Inspector said firmly.

“Japan,” the Prince said thoughtfully,
“is a pleasant country.”

“London suits me moderately well,” Inspector
Jacks declared.

“Under certain conditions,” the Prince
continued, “I should have imagined that the
climate here might prove most unhealthy for you.
You must remember that I was a witness of your slight
indisposition the other day.”